Embassy of Sweden, London

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{{Further|List of ambassadors of Sweden to the United Kingdom}}

At the Swedish embassy in London, around 30 people work on a range of different issues. Both seconded Swedish diplomats and local employees work here.{{cite web |url=https://www.swedenabroad.se/sv/utlandsmyndigheter/storbritannien-london/om-oss/ |publisher=Embassy of Sweden, London |title=Om oss |trans-title=About us |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=22 August 2024 |language=sv}}

The Embassy of Sweden in the United Kingdom is organized into several key departments:

• Political, Economic, and Trade Department: This department's primary responsibility is to represent Sweden in its interactions with UK officials across various areas, including domestic and foreign policy, security, EU cooperation, and economic matters. It also promotes Swedish trade interests and the overall image of Sweden, including communication efforts.
• Defence Department: Part of the Swedish Armed Forces, this department supports military cooperation between Sweden and the UK and manages diplomatic clearances for Swedish military personnel, state aircraft, and naval vessels in British territory.
• Innovation and Research Office: Opened in 2022, this office is a joint initiative of several Swedish ministries. It focuses on developing and promoting collaboration between the UK and Sweden in areas such as life sciences, exports and investments, research, innovation, and government cooperation programs.
• Consular Department: This department handles daily consular matters concerning Swedish citizens in the UK, including emergencies, deaths, birth registrations, paternity issues, coordination numbers, passport services, and some visa and legal matters.
• Cultural Department: The Cultural Department promotes Swedish culture in the UK, including literature, art, dance, music, film, and theater, and works to establish cultural connections and collaborations between the two countries.

In 1907, the Swedish legation in London moved into rented premises at 73 Portland Place.{{cite web |url=https://www.sfv.se/upptack-mer/one-hundred-years-in-sweden-s-service/1921-sweden-moves-in/ |publisher=National Property Board of Sweden |title=1921 - Sweden moves in |access-date=10 May 2022 |language=sv}} It was used both as chancery and as ambassadorial residence. In 1921, the townhouse at 27 Portland Place was purchased and a 999-year lease with the English landowner Baron Howard de Walden was agreed. The purchase price was 1,200,000 Swedish kronor, with a 999-year lease contract for a total redemption sum of 27,000 pounds. In addition, approximately 38,500 pounds were spent on renovations.{{cite news |url=https://www.svd.se/arkiv/1921-08-26/3/SVD |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |title=Vår Londonlegations nya residens |trans-title=Our London Legation's new residence |page=3 |date=1921-08-26 |access-date=10 September 2024 |language=sv |url-access=subscription}}

In mid-1947, it was reported that the legation building would undergo extensive repairs. All windows, which were both outdated in design and damaged during wartime bombings, were to be replaced with new, modern Swedish-made ones. Additionally, all premises were to be repainted, a task carried out by Swedish workers.{{cite news |url=https://www.svd.se/arkiv/1947-07-18/4/SVD |newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet |title=Legationsbyggnaden i London repareras |trans-title=The Legation building in London is being repaired |page=4A |date=1947-07-18 |access-date=26 March 2024 |language=sv |url-access=subscription}}

After the Second World War, the embassy found itself increasingly in need of space and the neighbouring property 29 Portland Place was therefore rented. The two properties were connected in a number of places. The lease on No. 29 was terminated in the early 1970s. Between 1970 and 1983, the chancery was located at 23 North Row in Mayfair, across the street from Marble Arch.{{cite book |url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/handle/2077/59413/gupea_2077_59413_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |editor-last=Sköldenberg |editor-first=Bengt |title=Sveriges statskalender 1970 |year=1970 |publisher=Fritzes offentliga publikationer |location=Uppsala |language=sv |pages=357, 374}}{{cite book |url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/handle/2077/59825/gupea_2077_59825_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |editor-last=Sköldenberg |editor-first=Bengt |title=Sveriges statskalender 1983 |year=1983 |publisher=Liber/Allmänna |location=Stockholm |isbn=9138071576 |language=sv |id={{SELIBR|3682764}} |page=361}} Between 1970 and 1973, the embassy and the Swedish consulate general in London were colocated at 23 North Row.{{cite book |url=https://gupea.ub.gu.se/bitstream/handle/2077/59464/gupea_2077_59464_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |editor-last=Sköldenberg |editor-first=Bengt |title=Sveriges statskalender 1973 |year=1973 |publisher=Almqvist & Wiksell |location=Uppsala |language=sv |id={{SELIBR|3682755}} |page=376}} Since 1983, the chancery building is located at 11 Montagu Square in Marylebone, just down the road from the embassy of Switzerland. Sweden also maintains a Trade Council at 259-269 Old Marylebone Road, Marylebone.{{cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263519/LDL_December_2013.pdf |title=The London Diplomatic List |date=14 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211155353/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263519/LDL_December_2013.pdf |archivedate=2013-12-11}}

File:Embassy_of_Sweden_in_London_2.jpg|Close-up of the Three Crowns on the embassy

File:Embassy_of_Sweden_in_London_3.jpg|Plaque outside the embassy

File:Embassy_of_Sweden_in_London_4.jpg|Plaque in Swedish and information panel outside the embassy

File:Swedish Embassy, London.jpg|The embassy in 2005

The ambassadorial residence is located at 27 Portland Place since 1921. It has been used as chancery and as residence but since 1983 it has been used solely as a residence.

File:Residence of Swedish ambassador in London.jpg|The ambassadorial residence at 27 Portland Place

• Sweden–United Kingdom relations
• Consulate General of Sweden, London

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